Remembering the Purpose

5 December 2005



Red Crystal Symbol Should Replace the Cross and the Crescent

The Geneva Conventions did a great many things to alleviate the stupid brutality of war, but the most obvious is the creation of the Red Cross/Red Crescent. Under international law, an ambulance or medic wearing either symbol is protected by the entire community of nations (which ought to be more protection that it is in practice). Because of certain political nonsense, a third symbol may be accepted, the Red Crystal. The whole debate proves that some people just can’t love their neighbors without setting some pretty stiff conditions.

Originally, the Red Cross was chosen as a symbol because it reversed the colors of Swiss flag, a nation addicted to neutrality. Crosses, however, carry a spiritual dimension, and so to assuage Muslim sensibilities, the Red Crescent, which carries a different spiritual value, was accepted by the 192 nations involved in the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement. A great many other symbols have been used within nations, but the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has never accepted any but those two. Francois Bugnion, director of international law with the ICRC has explained:

Hundreds of emblems would mean they would not be recognized, and so they would not be respected. They would be identified with different countries, so instead of conveying the message ‘this is an ambulance, this is neutral and must be respected,’ it would be a sign of identification which would run against the objective of the protective symbol.
All of which makes perfect sense, but then, one gets to the Middle East, where almost nothing makes sense, perfect or otherwise. Israel, being a Jewish state, uses a Red Star of David (six-pointed, not to be confused with the Red Star of the Soviet Union or Communist China). This is not recognized by the ICRC, but the Magen David Adom Society (MDA) is active globally, like during the tsunami relief effort almost a year ago. MDA is not part of the ICRC. Muslim states are on record as saying they will never accept the Red Star of David as a recognized symbol. So, the American Red Cross is holding back its subscription to the ICRC, creating a $30 million shortfall.

As of this morning, the debate goes on about adding a more neutral Red Crystal (a red diamond with a white interior). The whole thing now hinges on Red Crescent access to the Golan Heights, which Syria claims should get the same treatment as the other occupied territories. And one wants to throw up one’s hands and scream.

The solution is staring everyone in the face, but of course, it won’t ever get through because the fight is about world politics, and the ICRC is merely the battlefield. Still, the ICRC should seriously consider dropping the Cross and the Crescent, and making the Red Crystal the only recognized symbol. After all, the ICRC is there to provide humanitarian aid, not solve the insoluble mess of the Middle East. And no one ever murdered another person for the sake of the Crystal.


© Copyright 2005 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent.
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